Changeable exhibitors



Aug. 28, 1962 B. MYERS ETAL CHANGEABLE EXHIBIToRs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledDeo. 26, 1958 .BER/men M Yes INVENTORS.

0d fo SEP/7' D M5 /A/.S'K y ATTORNEY 3,050,888 CHANGEABLE EXI-mITORSBernard Myers, Surbiton, and Joseph Dembinsky, Hendon Way, London,England, assignors to John Myers, New York, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 783,056 8 Claims. (Cl. l0-132) In mostsuch instances, however, and even in the case of large outdooradvertising signs, too little attention has been paid to the properharmony of colors to gain and hold the attention of the viewers. It isthe appreciation of this, resulting in the' harnessing of theeffectiveness of color and the utilization `of it in simple,concentrated manner which, taken alternatively with the message to bedelivered, form the basis of this invention.

In addition to the right color harmony to have the most effectiveappeal, the invention also contemplates the combining of the same withmusic, appropriately Written or selected, to t the mood that is'createdby the color presentation. v

To be more specific, the invention contemplates the high intensitypropagation of a light beam resulting from the reiiection of light froma plurality of color discs in juxtaposed relation and rotating at highspeeds.- It has been found, in accordance with the invention7 that ifsuch discs have the surfaces thereof formed throughout \-into equalalternating segments of the primary colors, red, blue 'and'greem and ifthe discs are all rotated at the same high speed, a ood of lconstantlychanging color will result whichevvill have an impelling attractivenessfor the passerby. This attractiveness, whether or not coupled withsuitable music, can then be used in sudden alternating relationship withmessage means supplanting it to put the message across to the observerin a most striking manner.

Generally Vespeakinggthe invention contemplates the achieving of its endby the positioning of the color discs and light sources of adequateintensity on one side of a half silvered mirror, or similar semi-lighttransmissive, semi-light reflective element, while incorporating, inthatelement, the sign to ibe displayed. Then when other light sources ofsuitable intensity are provided on the opposite side of the halfsilvered mirror and means are provided for alternately cutting off thelight behind the mirror projected on to the discs then turning on thelight directed against the outer face of the mirror, the switch can bemade back and forth from the appeal of the flood of color to thetransmission of the message and vice versa.

-It is accordingly an object of this invention to improve upon theattraction aspect of changeable exhibits or signs.

`Another object is to do so in a simple, economical manner. Y

Another object is to do so by means of a simple readily portablemechanism, complete in itself, calling for no particular installation.

A further object is to provide for a iiood of colored light of rapidlyand continuously changing characteristics.

A further object is to provide a combination of such light withappropriate sound.

A still further object is to combine the showing of assises PatentedAug. 28, 1962 YVwith the acpmpanyingpdgwing, proceeds.

vIn that drawing;

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a housing containing display mechanism inaccordance with the invention, with the side wall removed .to show theelements of the invention contained therein.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the housing of FIG. 1,

taken on line 2 2 of FIG. l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l of a somewhat moditied `form of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section thereof taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3 andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a plurality ofdiscs in accordance with a modied form of the invention, illustratingthe driving of the same.

'FG 6 is a sectional view taken on line `6-6 of FIG. 5 and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

IFIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a display screen in accordancewith the invention; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary sections of material for lforming thedisplay screen of FIG. 7, illustrating various manners for the make-upof the same.

In the accompanying vdrawing the invention is illustrated as 1beingembodied in the display cabinet which accommodates all the -apparatus ofthe invention. It is to be understood, however, that such showing ispurely for illustrative purposes, since the invention can be ernbodiedin cabinets of a wide variety of shapes and sizes and, in fact, can bemade up in displays which need no cabinet or surrounding `at all.Furthermore, though various mechanical expedients have been shown forthe correlating and driving of the various elements of the invention, itis likewise to be understood that these are merely illustrative ofsimple means for the carrying out of the invention. Various other formsof drives and monntings, whether mechanical, electrical or uid, can beemployed in connection with the invention if desired.

Considering then the illustrated embodiment of the invention, theoperating elements are shown as enclosed in a housing .or`cabinet,generally indicated at 1, having top and bottom. walls 2 and iArespectively, side walls 4 and 5 respectively, and a back wall 6,leaving the front 7, opposite the Wall 6, open. Inside of the cabinetthe rear part, towards the Wall 6, accommodates the colored discs anddrive mechanism therefor, generally indicated at i8, while spaceddownwardly therefor are a plurality of light sources 9 and 10.

As here shown these`\lights are applied to the top and bottom Walls ofthe cabinet but may alternately or additionally be applied to the sidewalls 4 and 5. Next, outwardly from this set of light sources, is thedisplay screen or Window 11, which preferably encloses or\is,olates theopen front of the cabinet from the interior thereof. Finally the wallsof the cabinet, outwardly of the screen 11, are employed for themounting of additional light sources such as 12 and 13.

Reverting to the color reflecting discs and drive mechanisrn therefor,all as generally indicated at 8, there are preferably vfour Such discsas shown at 15, 16, 17V and 18, so mountedin overlapping relationship,that there are the open spaces inwardly between the discs 15, 16 and 17are not visible from the window side. The discs 15 to 18 are mounted onparallel shafts 20, 21, 22 and 23, each of which is suitably mountedwith respect to the wall of the housing by brackets such as those shownat 24 and 25 for the shaft l20. Each bracket carries a suitable bearingmember such as those shown at 26 and 27, which are preferably ofball-bearing or other frictionless type, inasmuch as the discs areintended to be driven at high speed and to operate for long times at astretch. Similar brackets and bearings, as shown, Yare employed for theother shafts, but need not be detailed here.

In the form of FIGS. l and 2 the drive of the shafts is effected fromthe motor 27 mounted on the bottom 3 of the housing and driving theshaft 23 by means of I etiveiy-tenthe motor shaft and to the aft 23 'frotate therewith. Drive from the shaft 23 tti/'maiis 20, 21 and 22 ishere shown as effected by a series of gears, all of the same size, sothat the discs will all be driven at the same speed. The drive gear 31is secured to the shaft 23 and meshes with the gears 32, 33 and 34,keyed to the other shafts in order to drive those shafts. The gears 31through 34 are preferably of lightweight inexpensive construction tokeep both the cost andweight of the assembly down as well as keepingdown the inertiia factor in the driving mechanism. Y

The discs through 18 are, of course, secured toV their respective shaftsto turn therewith and, like the gears, are of light weight construction,for they are intended to rotate at high speed. In this regard it is tobe noted that the drive for the discs, here exemplified by the electricmotor 27', should be a high speed device since, Ifor best results, thediscs should be rotated at high speeds. Variations in the speed, to givevariations in the color effects, are also contemplated, particularlywhere the motor speed can be varied automatically. In the course of theoperation it is contemplated that, for a certain period of time themotor will run at maximum speedl and then, by an automatic control, willhave its speed stepped down for time increments, which control willre-cycle itself as time goes on. Timing devices, to eiect suchvariations in the operation, are well known and do not, in and ofthemselves, form any particular part ofthe invention, so it is notthought necessary to make any more than a token showing, the same as at38.

To give the pronounced color effects desired by the invention, each ofthe discs is divided, throughout its surface, into segments of equalsize. Each three adjoining segments make up a section, the segments ofwhich are each respectively colored with one of the primary colors,i.e., red, blue and green. This pattern of sections repeats throughoutall of the discs so that the same arrangement of colors prevails on thefaces of all vof the discs.

Considering that the discs are to be driven at high speed, the segmentsshould not be so small that the differences between sets of them becomeindistinguishable. On the other hand a reasonably large number of seganillustration, Where the segments 3S, 36 and 37, color/eid respectively,red, blue and green, each take,np/10 of the arch of the circle, eachsection Would/take up of the total area. Thus twelve such sets would beapplied to the disc and the same pattern arrangement would be followedthroughout all of the dscs/ f To produce the desired display eiiect,strong illumination from lightggources, such as 9 and 10 in FIG. 1, isdiretedonth'e faces of the discs. vThis light must be intense and itsbeam be directed or focused onto the faces of the discs. As alreadymentioned, the light can come from above and below the discs. but mayadditionally or alternatively come 'from positions at the sides of thehousing. The end to be achieved is that of producing averitable -iioodof varying colored light by retiection of that light from the -faces ofthe discs, which ood of light fuses into and out of various colorcombinations to. produce an intriguing fantasy -of color.

While the lights, such as 9 and 10, are on and the reiiector discs arerotating, the flood of color is Yprojected with sufficient difference inapplication that though the in- -f Y tense colored light from behindwill shine right through pulleysr28 and 29 anda belt 30. f Thepulleys-are, of// course, secured it, light directed solely on the outerface of the mirror will make the display stand out. Hence at/the/desired moment, by means ofthe switch 39,V light fro/m the sources 9 and10 is cut oft and simultaneouslylight from sources i2 and i3, at theouter side of the half silvered mirror, is turned on. This latter lightwill impinge Vupon and be reflected .from/the mirrored surface andadvertising display carried by the member '11. The displayy will standout sharply, particularly so since the ood of colored light will besuddenly extinguished so one will no longer be able to see throughthemember 11.

When the advertisement has been on display lon enough to be perceived bythe onlookers which, as modern advertising techniques show, does notneed' to be prolonged to have its etect felt, the procedure is reversed.The lights 12 and 13 are extinguished and, simultaneously, the lights 9and 10 are turned on again. Preferably all of this is done automaticallyas part of a timed cycle, either forming part of, or in addition to, thetimed cycle for lvarying the speed of the discs, if any, as hereintoforepointed out.

There is no necessity for stopping the rotation of the discs during thelight change from color to advertisement and back again, for the discscannot be seen in any event.

Furthermore it is preferable to continue their rotation, since theconsumption of electric power and wear Vand tear on the mechanism isdecidedly less than would be involved in the starting and stopping ofthe rotation on each change.

A somewhat modied drive arrangement is illustrated in the form of FIGS.3 and 4. Here a motor 27a is mounted on a bracket 4G' against the backwall 6 of the housing in such a manner thatthe motor shaft 23a is, atone and the same time, the shaft on which the centre disc 18 is mounted.This fmerely'eliminate's the belt drive arrangement of the previousform, with the gear drive between the gears 31, 32, 33 and 34, being thesame as in the previous form. Also the discs are the same and arepositioned in the same manner so that the description of them, given inconnection with/the form of FIGS. l and 2, is equallyapplicable. v

,Iig/this/form, since the motor is strongly supported fnd assists on cments per d1sc 1s desired to produce the -full effects. A5450 arrymg theWeight of the mechanism single and smaller bearings, for the variousshafts as seen at 41 and 42, are possible. In all other respects theconstruction and operation of this form is the same as .that of FIGS. land 2, so bears the same reference characters.

A somewhat different type of disc and drive for the same is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Here each disc is made double, with a spacer and drivingmember inbetween. Accordingly the disc assembly `indicated at 45 hasdisc faces 46 and 47 with a separator member 48 of smallerV diameterbetween them. This separator member is peripherally bordered by adriving rim 49. The disc assembly 45 1s mounted on a shaft 50 and isheldtogether by means such as the nuts 51 and' 52 secured on the shaft.

The -disc assembly 45 is characteristic of the three Aoutside discswhile the centre disc assembly, generally Vindicated at 55, is somewhatdifferent. The latter again serves as the drive member for/the set ofdiscs, itself be-i ing suitably Ydriven in one of the manners previouslyshown, or in other suitable manner. The disc assembly 55 again hasdiscpelements 56 and 57 spaced apart, not

abscess only by spacer members 58 and 59, but, also, by the centre drivedisc 60.

The drive ydisc 60, which has its periphery supplied with suitablefriction driving rim 61, is formed to inter-tit between the discelements 46 and 47 of the other three discs and to engage their drivingrim 49 in order to drive the same. The disc assembly 55 is suitablyassembled and secured on the shaft 62 by means of the securing membersshown.

In the disc construction of FIGS. 5 and 6, assuming the provision ofunobtrusive supports for the various shafts for the discs, the assemblyof discs could be made visible from both sides simultaneously. In otherrespects the coloring of the discs, the operation, and the illuminationof them would be the Sme as described for the previous forms, so neednot be repeated here.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 various forms of hdf silvered mirror or screenarrangements for the element 11 are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 7 thiselement, no matter how constructed, besides being one where visibilitytherethrough depends on the relative illumination on the opposite sidesthereof, carries advertising indicia. This indicia is only visible whenlight behind the element is cut olf and intense light is directedagainst the front surface thereof.

This indicia can be made to stmd out in various ways. One of these is toapply the advertising with a different color or form of material fromthat forming the mirrored surface. Thus, in FIG. 8, a glass plate 65 isshown as having its inner surface 66 equipped with advertising indicia,or marking 67, along with the normally halfsilvering material 68.

In the FIG. 9 showing laminated material, having two sheets 69 and 70,which may both be of plastic or one of plastic and the other of glass,are secured together with the half silvered and advertising indiciabeing incorporated in the layer 71 joining them.

Though no specic provision has been shown for the incorporation ofmusical accompaniment to the color, this, of course, can be achieved byemploying one of a variety of the types of recording and reproducingsystems commonly available. The operation of such system can be keyed tothe operation of the discs and lights, through one unitary timingmechanism or by separate timing mechanisms as desired. Whether' sound beadded or not it has been found that this arrangement of rotating discswith intense light projected against them and, in turn, reflected outfrom them, produces an almost compelling urge to draw closer and seewhat is causing it. This establishes a highly effective medium forputting an advertising, or some other message, across to the viewers.

In the absence of the advertising aspect, the display has such apleasantly attractive appeal to it that it can be used alone as mereentertainment and is admirably suited for lling in such situations aswhere crowds are pouring into a theatre or other amusement place as alead for the program to be put on. n

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. A changeable exhibitor comprising means for producing a flood ofcolored light, means for displaying a semi-transparent message in thepath of said colored light, said message being invisible while saidlight is passed therethrough, means for alternately rendering one or theother of said message and said Hood of colored light visible to anobserver, said alternate rendering means including a partially lighttransmissive and partially light reflective member, said message formingpart of said partially light transmissive and partially light reflectivemember at the reflective face thereof, said colored light producingmeans including a plurality of light reflecting colored discs and meansfor projecting an intense beam of light thereon to be reected therefrom,said colored discs being divided into primary colored segments inalternating arrangement, means for rotating said colored discs at highspeed and all at the Same speed, and for rotating one in a directionopposite to that of the others.

2. A changeable exhibitor which comprises a housing having an open face,a plurality of colored discs supported by and mounted in said housingfor rotation on parallel axes, a motor mounted on said housing and meansinterposed between said motor and discs for driving said discs at thesame speed, a part light transmissive part light reflective elementincluding indicia differing optically from the remainder of said elementcarried by said housing and positioned in opposed relationship withrespect to said discs, means to illuminate said discs from a positionbetween said light transmissive element means and said discs and on theopposite side of said light transmissive element from said discs lforilluminating the face of said light transmissive element remote fromsaid discs to cause said indicia to be visible.

3. A changeable exhibitor as in claim 2, wherein said colored discs areeach divided into the same number of segments of the same size and saidsegments are alternately colored about the surface of saiddisc with thethree primary colors, the coloring of'all discs being the same and therebeing a multiplicity of sets of said three primary colors on each disc.

4. A changeable exhibitor as in claim 2 and including means foralternately shutting off the illumination of said discs and turning onthe illumination of said outer face of said partially light transmissiveelement remote from said discs.

5. A changeable exhibitor as in claim 2, wherein said shafts, carryingsaid discs, are all driven at the same speed by means of a gear drive.

6. A changeable exhibitor as in claim 2, wherein said discs are providedwith shafts having driving elements secured thereto, said drivingelements for all of said discs being of the same size and said drivingelements for said discs being in frictional edge driving contact withsaid discs.

7. A changeable emibitor comprising three colored discs lying in thesame plane in triangular relationship and a fourth colored disc havingits centre located at a point equal distance from the axes of said threediscs, said discs being mounted on parallel operatively interconnectedshafts and said discs having their exposed faces formed with segments ofdifferent colors thereon, said discs being divided into multiples ofthree of said segments' and each set of three segments carrying theprimary colors in the same order, said fourth disc overlying portions ofsaid first three discs and filling the space between them and means torotate all of'said discs about their axis at high speed.

8. A changeable exhibitor as in claim 7, wherein said fourth discrotates in a direction opposite to that of Said three discs.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS885,928 Hunt Apr. 28, 1908 1,182,266 Gibson May 9, 1916 1,684,534Campbell Sept. 18, 1928 1,768,409 Kuczorra June 24,V 1930 1,851,585Kliegl Mar. 29, 1932 1,881,417 Hodgkin Oct, 4, 1932 2,000,153 Watson May7, 1935 2,155,618 Roberts Apr. 25, 1939 2,299,362 Villani Oct. 20, 19422,360,536 Avery Oct. 17, 1944 2,527,803 Fleak Oct. 31, 1950 2,831,580Carbone Apr. 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,196 Great Britain Apr. 26, 191517,208 1910 Great vBritain May 19,

